Priming horn

ABSTRACT

Discloses a priming horn for delivering a premeasured priming charge of powder to the pan of a flint lock rifle. A powder reservoir contains a powder dispensing neck into which a hollow tube is pressure fit so as to communicate with the main body of the reservoir. The tube is closed at it&#39;&#39;s outer end and contains a charge outlet in its wall and a sliding sleeve is fitted over said priming charge outlet and urged into normally closed position by means of a spring mounted between the body of the powder reservoir and the sleeve proper. The size of the charge may be adjusted manually by pulling the sliding sleeve back a portion of the total distance or it may be premeasured by pushing the hollow tube further back into the body of the powder reservoir. This decreases the total distance that the sleeve may slide and thus effectively decreases the opening of the charge outlet. Further the closure plug at the end of the hollow tube is so spaced from the charge outlet as to leave a proper gap between the flash hole of the pan of the flint lock rifle and the main body of the priming charge.

llnited States Patent [191 Allen [451 Earn. a, 19%

[ PRMNG HORN V [75] inventor: Bobby H. Allen, Louisville, Ky.

[73] Assignee: DJ Incorporated, Louisville, Ky.

[22] Filed: May 31, 1972 [21} Appl. No.: 258,349

[52] US, Cl. 222/514, 86/33 [51] lint, C1 B6541 47/28 [58] Field of Search 86/24, 33; 42/42,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 525,744 9/1894 Roth 222/514 X 2,921,716 1/1960 Schiller 222/563 X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg AttorneyWilliam R. Price 57 ABSTRACT Discloses a priming horn for delivering a premeasured priming charge of powder to the pan of a flint lock rifle. A powder reservoir contains a powder dispensing neck into which a hollow tube is pressure fit so as to communicate with the main body of the reservoir. The tube is closed at its outer end and contains a charge outlet in its wall and a sliding sleeve is fitted over said priming charge outlet and urged into normally closed position by means of a spring mounted between the body of the powder reservoir and the sleeve proper. The size of the charge may be adjusted manually by pulling the sliding sleeve back a portion of the total distance or it may be premeasured by pushing the ho]- low tube further back into the body of the powder reservoir. This decreases the total distance that the sleeve may slide and thus effectively decreases the opening of the charge outlet. Further the closure plug at the end of the hollow tube is so spaced from the charge outlet as to leave a proper gap between the flash hole of the pan of the flint lock rifle and the main body of the priming charge.

11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PRIMING HORN FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for easily and conveniently delivering a charge of priming powder to the pan of a flint lock rifle. More specifically this invention relates to an apparatus for delivering a premeasured charge of priming powder to the pan of a flint lock rifle quickly, easily and accurately.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flint lock rifles require that powder be charged to the barrel of the rifle through the muzzle. A flash hole extends from the barrel of the rifle to the pan into which a charge of priming powder is loaded. Normally, it is necessary to maintain a gap between the pan containing the priming powder and the flash hole so that the combustion between the two chambers is by a flash rather than by a continuous burn.

Previously marksmen have used a small copper embossed flask to tap powder into the pan to prime the rifle. The size of the charge of the priming powder to the pan was therefore dependent upon the force of the tap and upon the finger dexterity of the rifleman. This in itself varied from day to day depending upon the .humidity and other factors. Thus in many instances the size of the charge to the pan varied appreciably. Further the most desirable method of charging the priming pan was to leave a 3/16 inch gap between the main body of the priming charge and the flash hole. Again, depending upon conditions, if the initial charge to the pan were too large, most of the surplus would be knocked out of the way to the ground prior to closing the pan and the entire assembly hit with the heel of the hand to knock the powder away from the flash hole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to my invention there is provided a device for accurately dispensing a premeasured charge of priming powder to the pan and a measuring device so that the premeasured charge can be delivered to the pan leaving a proper gap between the charge and the flash hole. This is accomplished by means of a powder reservoir in communication with a hollow tube, which tube is closed at its outer end and which contains a charge outlet. The charge outlet is selectively opened and closed by means of a sliding sleeve biased against a compression spring mounted between the dispensing outlet and the neck of the powder reservoir. The size of the premeasured charge may be varied either manually by the marksmen varying the pressure by which he draws the sliding sleeve against the pressure of the spring, or by inserting the hollow tube further into the body of the powder reservoir thus limiting the possible travel of the sliding sleeve along the dispensing tube and thereby varying the size of the charge outlet open- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view with parts in elevation of the priming horn of my invention illustrating the sleeve in closed position.

FIG. 1 also illustrates in dotted lines the adjustable feature of sliding the dispensing tube of my invention into the reservoir so as to vary the effective size of the charge dispensing outlet.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illlustrating the sliding sleeve in retracted position, and with the charge dispensing outlet open.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings the priming horn 1 consists of a powder reservoir 2 having a neck 3 at one end and a powder receiving orifice 5 at the other end.

The neck contains an opening 4 so as to communicate with the bore 22 of the hollow dispensing tube 20 as will be hereinafter described. Powder is poured into the powder reservoir through the powder receiving orifice 5 which contains an annular ring 6 projecting inwardly of the reservoir 2. A cap 7 acts as a removable closure and the cap contains an annular outwardly projecting ring 8 which snaps over the inwardly projecting annular ring 6 of the orifice 5. There is provided a groove 10 between the orifice 5 and the edge of the cap 7 to allow the cap 7 to be snapped out of engagement with the powder receiving orifice for addition of more powder as required. In the center of the cap 7 is provided a well 13 molded into the cap with a locking taper. A flash hole pick 14 contains a stainless steel wire pick 15 embedded in the tapered projection 17 of the flash hole pick handle 16. The projection 17 contains the same locking taper as the taper of the flash hole pick well 13 so that the handle will pressure fit into position holding the flash hole pick in locking relation within said flash hole pick well 13. As will be apparent to most marksmen this will keep the flash hole pick out of the way and yet have it available when it is necessary to clean out the flash hole after several successive shots.

Referring now to the neck 3 and its internal bore 4 which communicates with the powder reservoir 2, there is provided a hollow dispensing tube 20 which is pressed inwardly into the bore 40 so that the end of the tube 20 is flush with the interior wall of the powder reservoir 2. The hollow tube 20 contains an internal bore 22 and a charge outlet 23 in its outer wall. The end of the hollow tube 20 is closed by means of plug 24 containing an annular shoulder 25. The dispensing tube 20 is soldered to the annular shoulder 25 to secure it into position. A sleeve is slideably fit over the hollow tube 20 and a collar member 31 is soldered to the free end of the sleeve so as to act as a means for finger engagement to pull the sleeve backwardly against the pressure of a steel coil compression spring 32 which as shownis mounted around the tube 20 between the lanyard loop 34 adjacent the base of the neck 3 of the powder reservoir.

Now after the powder reservoir is filled with powder it is only necessary to invert the tip of the priming horn so that the powder runs toward the closure plug 24. The closure plug is placed directly against the barrel and is so measured that the distance 26 between the end of the plug 24 to the priming charge outlet 23 is 3/16 of an inch providing the proper gap between the flash hole and the body of the priming charge. Thus merely by pulling the collar 31 backwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2, the proper premeasured charge of powder drops into the pan providing the proper gap between the charge and the flash hole for proper flashing combustion between the two chambers. The pan is then closed and the gun fired in normal manner.

As is well known the powder utilized in the flintlock rifles is of the black variety leaving a gummy residue 3 after several shots and producing voluminous quantities of smoke. It is therefore imperative that the pan be cleaned from time to time and the flash hole be reamed out to provide communication between the pan and the barrel of the rifle proper. Further in damp weather when the powder is apt to clump, it is generally quite difficult to get a proper uniform charge from shot to shot since the amount of the charge is as previously indicated normally dependent upon the manual dexterity of the marksmen in tapping his priming powder flask. As previously indicated it is possible to manually adjust the size of the charge first by merely pulling the collar member back 31 backwardly just a portion of its total distance. it is also possible to actually premeasure the size of the charge by pushing the hollow tube backwards into the body 2 of the powder reservoir so that the total distance that the slideable sleeve 30 can travel is reduced. This uncovers a smaller part of the charge outlet 23.

The measuring and dispensing means comprising the hollow tube 20, the charge outlet 23, and the slideable sleeve 30 is preferably made of brass as is the whole front end of the assembly except the steel coil spring. The body of the powder reservoir 2 molded from a high quality plastic. I prefer to use an acetal such as Du- Ponts Delrin for the body of the powder reservoir as well as the cap 7. I use a polycarbonate such as General Electric's Lexan for the handle 16 of the flash hole pick. Polycarbonate is so tough that a very close tolerance can be obtained with the tapered projection 17 of the flash hole handle 16 so as to allow for a very close fit with the locking taper found in the well 13 of the closure cap 7. it will be noted that the projection 17 of the flash hole handle 16 is not in full engagement with the tapered well 13. This is so as to allow for natural wear so that the tapered projection 17 will automatically seat itself in the internal taper of the well 13 as time progresses.

Since many flintlock riflemen are purists and object to the use of a plastic powder reservoir, the powder reservoir may be made from a small cows horn. The horn is cleaned and polished and the tip end is removed. A hole is drilled in the closed or tip end of the horn and the hollow tube 20 is inserted therein. It is, of course, necessary to fit the slidable sleeve 30 against the annular shoulder of plug 24. One end of spring 32 is mounted against collar 31 and the other end against lanyard loop 34. Then the free end of tube 20 can be removably mounted into the neck end of the polished powder horn by pressure fit. The open end of the polished cow's horn may be fitted with a traditional closure member to add authenticity to this device.

Many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein above given and such description is meant to be non limiting, except so as to be commensurate in scope with the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A priming horn for delivering a measured charge of priming powder to the pan of a flintlock rifle and for providing a gap for said charge, comprising, in combination:

A. an elongated powder reservoir having a powder dispensing neck at one end and a powder receiving orifice at the other end;

B. a closure member for said powder receiving oriflee;

C. the improvement in a priming charge measuring, spacing and dispensing means which comprises:

1. a hollow tube extending into the neck of said powder reservoir to communicate therewith, and including:

a. a spacer gap closure plug at its outer end, said plug serving as a spacer gap so as to space the priming charge from the flash hole of a flintlock rifle barrel when said plug is held against the barrel of said rifle, and,

b. a charge dispensing outlet in its wall;

2. a sleeve, slidably fitted over said tube to selectively open and close said dispensing outlet and,

"3. spring, mounted over said tube in operative relation with said sleeve to urge said sleeve toward a normally closed position.

2. A priming horn, as defined in claim 1, in which said closure member is a removable cap, closing said powder receiving orifice by a pressure fit.

3. A priming horn, as defined in claim 2, in which:

A. said closure member contains a moulded outwardly projecting ring, and,

B. said orifice member contains a moulded inwardly projecting ring which snap fits over said outwardly projecting ring.

4. A priming horn, as defined in claim 2, in which said closure member contains a well for provision of a flash hole pick.

5. A priming horn, as defined in claim 4, in which said well contains a locking taper and in which the handle of said flash hole pick contains a complementary locking taper so that the handle of said flash hole pick will removably engage itself with said well.

6. For use with a small powder horn, having a powder receiving orifice, a closure for said orifice and a powder dispensing neck, a priming device for delivering a measured charge of priming powder to the pan of a flintlock rifle and for providing a gap for said charge comprising:

A. a priming charge measuring, spacing and dispensing means which comprises:

1. a hollow tube extending into the neck of said powder horn to communicate therewith and including:

a. a spacer gap closure plug at its outer end, said spacer gap plug serving to space a priming charge from the flash hole of a flintlock rifle barrel, and,

b. a charge dispensing outlet in its wall,

2. a sleeve, slidably fitted over said tube to selectively open and close said dispensing outlet; and,

3. a spring mounted over said tube in operative relation with said sleeve to urge said sleeve toward a normally closed position.

7. A priming device as defined in claim 6, in which said closure plug has an annular shoulder serving as a support for said hollow tube.

8. A priming device, as defined in claim 7, in which said annular shoulder of said closure plug serves as a stop for said slidable sleeve.

9. A priming device, as defined in claim 8, in which said spring is of the coil compression type and is mounted over said tube between the neck of said powder horn and said slidable sleeve.

10. A priming device, as defined in claim 9, the combination therewith of a metal lanyard loop, fitted over said tube against the neck of said powder horn, said lanyard loop serving as a base for said coil spring.

11. A priming device, as defined in claim 9, the further combination therewith of a metal collar soldered to said sleeve, said collar serving as a base for the free end of said coil spring. 

1. A priming horn for delivering a measured charge of priming powder to the pan of a flintlock rifle and for providing a gap for said charge, comprising, in combination: A. an elongated powder reservoir having a powder dispensing neck at one end and a powder receiving orifice at the other end; B. a closure member for said powder receiving orifice; C. the improvement in a priming charge measuring, spacing and dispensing means which comprises:
 1. a hollow tube extending into the neck of said powder reservoir to communicate therewith, and including: a. a spacer gap closure plug at its outer end, said plug serving as a spacer gap so as to space the priming charge from the flash hole of a flintlock rifle barrel when said plug is held against the barrel of said rifle, and, b. a charge dispensing outlet in its wall;
 2. a sleeve, slidably fitteD over said tube to selectively open and close said dispensing outlet ; and,
 3. spring, mounted over said tube in operative relation with said sleeve to urge said sleeve toward a normally closed position.
 2. a sleeve, slidably fitteD over said tube to selectively open and close said dispensing outlet ; and,
 2. A priming horn, as defined in claim 1, in which said closure member is a removable cap, closing said powder receiving orifice by a pressure fit.
 2. a sleeve, slidably fitted over said tube to selectively open and close said dispensing outlet; and,
 3. a spring mounted over said tube in operative relation with said sleeve to urge said sleeve toward a normally closed position.
 3. A priming horn, as defined in claim 2, in which: A. said closure member contains a moulded outwardly projecting ring, and, B. said orifice member contains a moulded inwardly projecting ring which snap fits over said outwardly projecting ring.
 3. spring, mounted over said tube in operative relation with said sleeve to urge said sleeve toward a normally closed position.
 4. A priming horn, as defined in claim 2, in which said closure member contains a well for provision of a flash hole pick.
 5. A priming horn, as defined in claim 4, in which said well contains a locking taper and in which the handle of said flash hole pick contains a complementary locking taper so that the handle of said flash hole pick will removably engage itself with said well.
 6. For use with a small powder horn, having a powder receiving orifice, a closure for said orifice and a powder dispensing neck, a priming device for delivering a measured charge of priming powder to the pan of a flintlock rifle and for providing a gap for said charge comprising: A. a priming charge measuring, spacing and dispensing means which comprises:
 7. A priming device as defined in claim 6, in which said closure plug has an annular shoulder serving as a support for said hollow tube.
 8. A priming device, as defined in claim 7, in which said annular shoulder of said closure plug serves as a stop for said slidable sleeve.
 9. A priming device, as defined in claim 8, in which said spring is of the coil compression type and is mounted over said tube between the neck of said powder horn and said slidable sleeve.
 10. A priming device, as defined in claim 9, the combination therewith of a metal lanyard loop, fitted over said tube against the neck of said powder horn, said lanyard loop serving as a base for said coil spring.
 11. A priming device, as defined in claim 9, the further combination therewith of a metal collar soldered to said sleeve, said collar serving as a base for the free end of said coil spring. 